By successfully performing the 700th Cochlear implant surgery, the Apollo Health City has written a new record in the service of hearing impaired during past two decades.

This record feat by Apollo Health City was announced by Sangita Reddy, executive director, Apollo Hospitals Group and Dr K Rambabu, Sr. ENT Surgeon, Apollo Health City at Apollo Health City in Hyderabad.

A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. Unlike a hearing aid, Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.

Speaking on the occasion Sangita Reddy, said this is a milestone which has touched the lives of that many people. She said the implant is expensive and appealed to donors and corporates to come forward and support several others who are in need of cochlear implants. Off the 700 patients treated till now 300 were supported by Arogyasree and 350 others got support from SAHI (Society to Aid the Hearing Impaired, Apollo Hospitals, donors etc.

Dr K Rambabu said, though it's an expensive treatment, it gives an opportunity for the child to lead a normal life like anyone else post cochlear implantation. It is essential to create awareness about recognising deafness in children at an early stage. Latest technology is available to identify deafness and all children need to be screened for hearing. A child with cochlear implant can lead a normal life and their performance is no different, in fact some of them excel in studies.

SAHI extends financial support of Rs. 2 lakh to male child and Rs. 2.5 lakh for female child, in case the child is not eligible under Aarogyasri SAHI.